Universities are ideal environments to bring
together a blend of people from different
backgrounds, with variety in the personal
characteristics that shape us, our motivations,
experiences and values.
The university student community is
undoubtedly more diverse than you will be
accustomed to. This is an opportunity not
afforded in many social groups or workspaces
and is one for you to benefit from. Interacting
with people different to ourselves is important
to support our own personal growth through a
wider understanding of the world. This helps us
relate to the communities in which we expect
to work.
Misunderstandings about groups of people
who are different to us can lead to unnecessary
hostility and anxiety. By exploring why you
might feel nervous, uncomfortable, or safe
around certain people can tell us a lot about
how these biases have formed.
At university, you can expect to meet, study,
and socialise with people of many different
characteristics. These include different disabilities, ethnicities, religions, sexual
orientations, and gender identities. This offers
fantastic potential for your learning, not only
in the diversity of thought from your peers,
but also in your own understanding of society,
privilege, and inequality.
The more interactions that occur will help to
change pre-conceptions and stereotypes. You
can also use this learning to challenge negative
associations and see others as individuals and
potential friends.
Another benefit to this unique environment is
that it allows you to expand your social and
professional network to include a broader range
of people. This exposure to diverse thinking,
cultural awareness and equality will directly
benefit you by enhancing social and
structural inclusion, whatever your future career
aspirations. Through this personal growth, you
can have a positive impact on the world.
You can also use this opportunity to become
more mindful of barriers and inequalities
faced by your peers by considering who is
underrepresented and how their journey to
higher education differs. This may be the first
time you have needed to consider additional
factors such as venue accessibility, safety
concerns of particular groups, or religious
customs.
This is also a chance for you to showcase
aspects of your own personality and celebrate
yourself in a more authentic way than you
may have been supported to do previously. By
realising the lived experiences of others, we can
help create a culture of inclusion and support
each other to succeed.